Technology in education

This report focuses on research-based advice on teaching through technology. The authors draw from their book Urban Myths about Learning and Education, discussing ‘miracle tools’ and the idea that young people today are ‘digital natives’. They question the fear that technology is making society and pupils less intelligent, explaining that many claims made about the use of technology in education are spurious.

In order to debunk these claims they focus in on five specific myths around technology in education, and outline the research that dispels them. These five myths are: that new technology is causing a revolution in education; that the Internet belongs in the classroom because it is part of the personal world experienced by children; that today’s ‘digital natives’ are anew generation who want a new style of education; that the Internet makes us dumber; and that young people don’t read anymore.

The authors advocate educational science being driven by theories, and not by simple observation and conclusion, and stress the need for strong empirical data to drive practice.